Wildfire in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge - Zachary C.

The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is a Refuge located off Highway 64 which runs from Raleigh to my hometown Manteo. Last weekend I was able to get out there to experience a wildfire. My younger brother works for the refuge through a high school program involving media, so he was able to get me out there to take some pictures and experience what the wildfire was like as 'media.'

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is approximately 152,000 acres in it's entirety. The wildfire covers the southeastern part of the refuge primarily and has reached up to a reported 21,000 acres. The fire was reported Thursday afternoon. On May 6, the fire jumped highway 264, south to Wilmington, closing a ten mile section of the highway in between towns Stumpy Point and Engelhard. The current cause of the wildfire is unknown, but many think it was caused by several different lightning strikes in the area.

The 138 workers, working on the fire are working diligently to contain the spread. They are using bulldozers, marshmasters (amphibious marsh machines), helicopters, airplanes, and several fire engines. There are many people that have teamed up to work on this fire from all around the country. This includes: US Fish and Wildlife, National Park Service, US Forest Service, local fire stations, and NC Division of Forestry Services.